Method of and apparatus for sticking tape on reel hub and method of and apparatus for winding tape on tape reel in tape cartridge

ABSTRACT

A tape end sticking apparatus sticking a tape end of a tape strip on a reel hub of a tape reel installed in a cartridge case having an egress/ingress opening before winding the tape strip onto the reel hub is described. The tape end sticking apparatus includes a tape carrier for grasping a tape end portion and bringing the tape end portion in close proximity to the reel hub which is movable into and out from a tape cartridge case through a cartridge opening and a liquid applying device for applying a sticking liquid to the reel hub and/or the tape end portion in a spread pattern having a width smaller at a remotest end than a foremost end thereof when the tape end sticking apparatus brings the tape end portion in close proximity to the reel hub.

BACKGROUND OF THE ION

1. Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a method of and an apparatus for attaching a tape strip end of magnetic tape strip on a reel hub of a tape reel in an empty tape cartridge and a method of and an apparatus for winding a tape strip onto a tape reel in an empty tape cartridge.

2. Description of Related Art

Typically, magnetic tape cartridges are commonly used as an external memory device for computer data backup. Such a magnetic tape cartridge comprises a cartridge case, a tape reel and its associated parts enclosed in the cartridge case. The cartridge case has a tape egress/ingress opening located in one of end walls. In a final stage of a cartridge case production line, a magnetic tape strip is wound onto a tape reel in the cartridge case. Tape winding is entered by firmly sticking a tape end of the magnetic tape strip on the reel hub using a tape sticking device. There have been proposed a variety of tape sticking devices. One of such the tape attaching devices which is known from, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-327332 comprises a tape carrier arm which is provided with a sponge with a liquid such as alcohol instilled therein and capable of grasping or picking one tape end of a magnetic tape strip with vacuum and moving in and out of a cartridge case. When the tape carrier arm is moved into the cartridge case, the sponge is forced against the reel hub so as to apply the liquid to the reel hub. Then, the tape carrier arm brings the tape end of the magnetic tape strip held with vacuum into contact with the reel hub, the tape end of the magnetic tape strip is firmly stuck on the reel hub. Subsequently to movement of the tape carrier aim out of the cartridge case after sticking the magnetic tape strip on the reel hub, a desired length of the magnetic tape strip is wound on the reel hub of the tape reel in the cartridge case and cut off. A magnetic tape cartridge is completed by sticking a slip of leader tape on and attaching a leader pin to the cut off end of the magnetic tape strip.

A problem encountered by the tape sticking device is that, because the sticking liquid is distributed uniformly in a tape width direction on the tape end portion, the sticking liquid is possibly applied in quantitatively excess. Such an excessive sticking liquid application causes slippage between the tape end portion and the reel hub which accounts for offset sticking of the tape end portion relative to the reel hub or a failure in sticking the tape end portion relative to the reel hub at worst. In other cases, a redundant sticking liquid runs off from between the tape end portion and the reel hub and is left as adhesion vestiges on flanges which are undesirable in appearance. On the other hand, if applying a decreased quantity of sticking liquid to a central portion of the reel hub in order to prevent the sticking liquid from running off, sticking of the tape end portion to the reel hub possibly ends in failure, partly or entirely. Particularly, if such a failure occurs, the tape end portion is apt to cause a turnup or a bend at its edge which leads to a radial winding irregularity in a roll of tape strip.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method of sticking a tape end portion of tape strip on a reel hub of a tape reel with an adequate quantity of sticking liquid and a tape end sticking apparatus for embodying the tape end sticking method.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of winding a tape strip on a tape reel using the tape end sticking method and a tape winding apparatus for embodying the tape winding method.

The foregoing object of the present invention is accomplished by a tape end sticking apparatus for sticking a tap end of a tape strip on a reel hub of a tape reel installed in a cartridge case having an egress/ingress opening before winding the tape strip onto the reel hub which comprises cartridge case setting means for supporting the tape cartridge in a predetermined position so as to permit rotation of the tape reel, tape carrier means movable into and out from an interior of the tape cartridge through the egress/ingress opening for grasping a tape end portion of the tape strip and bringing the tape end portion into a position where the tape end portion is placed adjacently to the reel hub, and liquid applying means for applying a sticking liquid to the reel hub and/or the tape end portion in a spread pattern having a width smaller at a rearmost end than a foremost end thereof.

According to the tape end sticking apparatus, the liquid applying means having a sponge pad instilled with a sticking liquid is moved so as to bring the sponge pad into contact with an tape end portion of tape strip grasped by the tape carrier means, thereby applying an adequate spread of the sticking liquid to the reel hub and/or the tape end portion in a desired pattern. When the tape carrier means is moved to the reel hub of the tape reel in an empty cartridge case, the tape end portion is released from the tape carrier means and stuck on the reel hub with the sticking liquid. Since the spread pattern of sticking liquid has a width smaller at a rearmost end than a foremost end thereof an adequate spread of sticking liquid is applied in a desired pattern, sticking and winding of the tape strip are steadily performed. The liquid applying means has a sponge pad out of an empty cartridge case, the liquid applying means and the sponge pad can be designed freely without restraints on their sizes. It is preferred to use water or alcohol including methanol, ethanol, isopropanol (EPA), etc. as the sticking liquid.

It is preferred that the spread pattern has a foremost end of a width greater than a leading end of the tape strip in order to secure stable sticking of an tape end portion on a reel hub. Further, the spread pattern has a length smaller than a circumferential length of the reel hub in order to prevent convolutions of the tape end portion of magnetic tape strip MTa on the reel hub H after a second convolution being rubbed by one another through the sticking liquid and causing slips among.

The tape winding apparatus for winding a tape strip onto a reel hub of a tape reel installed in a cartridge case having an egress/ingress opening comprises the tape end sticking apparatus described above and winding means for rotating the tape reel so as thereby to wind the tape strip onto the reel hub.

According to the tape winding apparatus, it is realized to wind steadily a tape strip onto the reel hub.

The tape end sticking method for sticking a tap end of a tape strip on a reel hub of a tape reel installed in a cartridge case having an egress/ingress opening before winding the tape strip onto the reel hub comprises the steps of grasping a tape end portion of the tape strip by tape carrier means which is movable into and out from an interior of the tape cartridge through the egress/ingress opening, applying a sticking liquid to the reel hub and/or the tape end portion grasped by the tape end carrier means in a spread pattern having a width smaller at a rearmost end than a foremost end thereof moving the tape carrier means into the tape cartridge so as to position the tape end portion adjacently to the reel hub, and releasing the tape end potion from the tape carrier means and sticking the tape end portion on the reel hub with the sticking liquid.

According to the tape end sticking method, while an empty cartridge case is set in the cartridge setting chamber so as to permit the tape reel to rotate, a tape end portion of tape strip is grasped by the tape carrier means. Then, the liquid applying means having the sponge pad instilled with a sticking liquid is moved to the tape carrier means is moved toward the empty cartridge case and brings the sponge pad into contact with the tape end portion. In this way, an adequate spread of sticking liquid is applied to the tape end portion in a desired pattern. Subsequently, the tape carrier means is moved into the tape cartridge case though the egress/ingress opening to bring the tape end portion in close proximity to the reel hub and then releases the tape end portion therefrom so as thereby to stick it to the reel hub. In this way, the sticking liquid is applied to the tape end portion in a spread pattern having a width smaller at a rearmost end than a foremost end thereof an adequate spread of sticking liquid is applied in a desired pattern. In consequence, sticking of the tape end portion on the reel hub is steadily performed. The liquid applying means has a sponge pad out of an empty cartridge case, the liquid applying means and the sponge pad can be designed freely without restraints on their sizes. It is preferred to use water or alcohol including methanol, ethanol, isopropanol (IPA), etc. as the sticking liquid.

It is preferred that the spread pattern has a foremost end of a width greater than a leading end of the tape strip in order to secure stable sticking of an tape end portion on a reel hub. Further, the spread pattern has a length smaller than a circumferential length of the reel hub in order to prevent convolutions of the tape end portion of magnetic tape strip MTa on the reel hub H after a second convolution being rubbed by one another through the sticking liquid and causing slips among.

The tape winding method for winding a tape strip onto a reel hub of a tape reel installed in a cartridge case having an egress/ingress opening comprises the steps of tape end sticking method described above and the winding step for rotating the tape reel so as thereby to wind the tape strip onto the reel hub.

According to the tape winding method, it is realized to wind steadily a tape strip onto the reel hub.

The method of and apparatus for sticking a tape end portion of tape strip on a reel hub of a tape reel installed in an empty cartridge realizes secured sticking of the tape end portion of tape strip on the reel hub. Further, the method of and apparatus for winding a tape strip on a reel hub of a tape reel installed in an empty cartridge realizes secured sticking of the tape end portion of tape strip on the tape reel, so as to prevent an occurrence of a radial winding irregularity in a roll of tape strip wound on the tape reel and, as a result, produce magnetic tape cartridges at a high yield rate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects and feats of the present invention will be clearly understood from the following detailed description when reading with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a tape winder according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a tape carrier of the tape winder,

FIG. 2B is a top view of the tape carrier of the tape winder,

FIG. 3 is a side view of a sticking liquid application device;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the sticking liquid application device partly cut away;

FIGS. 5A to 5D are illustrations showing various spread patterns of sticking liquid; and

FIG. 6 is an illustrations showing steps of a tape end sticking process.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is suitable for use on all types of tape cartridges and has particular application in the assembling of tape cartridges which are compliant with Linear Tape Open (LTO) standard. However, it should be appreciated that the invention has broader application and is not limited to this particular use.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings in detail, FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a tape winding apparatus 100 for winding a magnetic tape strip MT onto a reel hub H of a tape reel CR in an empty tape cartridge C. As shown in FIG. 1, the tape winding apparatus 100 winds a predetermined length of magnetic tape strip MT on the reel hub H installed in the cartridge case C. The predetermined length of magnetic tape strip MT is prepared by cutting a magnetic tape stock rolled in the shape like a pancake into rolls of magnetic tape strips MT, each roll having a given tape width, and by cutting the magnetic tape strip MT in a roll into the predetermined length. The tape winding apparatus 100 comprises a tape feeder 10 for feeding a magnetic tape strip MT from a feeder reel R1 or R2, a tape sticking device 1 for sticking a foremost end portion of magnetic tape strip MT on the reel hub H of the tape reel CR installed in the cartridge case C which is fed by a cartridge case feeder 60 in which a stuck of a number of empty tape cartridges are contained and which feeds them one by one, a polishing device 30 for polishing a coated surface of the magnetic tape strip MT, a pair of cleaning devices 40 for cleaning both surfaces of the magnetic tape strip MT and a tension control device 70 for controlling tension of the magnetic tape strip MT. The tape winding apparatus 100 is further provided with a plurality of guide rollers 80 for defining a given traveling path of the magnetic tape strip MT between the tape feeder 10 and the tape sticking device 1. All these components and an operation control panel 100 b are installed to a vertical panel 100 a of the tape winding apparatus 100.

The tape feeder 10 includes two tape reels R1 and R2, each tape reel R1, R2 having a roll of a roll of magnetic tape strip MT wound thereon, and drives the tape reel R1, or R2 to feed the magnetic tape strip MT at a predetermined constant speed toward the tape sticking device 1. When one of the tape reels R1 and R2 runs out of the magnetic tape strip MT; the other tape reel R1 or R2 is alternatively driven to feed the magnetic tape strip MT toward the tape sticking device 1 so as thereby to feed the magnetic tape strip MT to the tape sticking device 1 continuously.

The tape sticking device 1, which sticks a tape end portion of magnetic tape strip MTa on a reel hub H of a tape reel CR in a cartridge case C, comprises a cartridge setting chamber 2 for receiving a cartridge case C 10 from the cartridge feeder 60 and rotate the tape reel CR at a high speed, a tape carrier 3 for sucking and grasping a tape end portion of magnetic tape strip MT1 fed from the tape feeder 10 and carrying it into an interior of the cartridge case C received in the tape cartridge setting chamber 2, and a sticking liquid application device 20 for applying a sticking liquid to the tape end portion MT1 grasped by the tape carrier 3. The sticking liquid application device 20, which will be described in more detail later, comprises a sponge retainer 5 for retaining a quadratic prism-shaped sponge pad 6 thereon and a drive mechanism 4 for moving the sponge retainer 5 vertically and horizontally.

The cartridge setting chamber 2, which is arranged lower left on the panel 100 a, receives and supports an empty tape cartridge C with tape egress/ingress opening C1 directed lower left so that the tape reel CR is rotated by a drive mechanism (not shown) to wind the magnetic tape strip MT on the tape reel CR. The tape reel CR is rotated at a high and varying speed by a driving mechanism (not shown) incorporated in the cartridge setting chamber 2 to wind the magnetic tape strip MT onto the reel hub H of the tape reel CR. Specifically, the tape reel 1 is driven at a relatively low rotational speed at the beginning of tape winding and subsequently a gradually increasing rotational speed.

Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B showing the tape carrier 3 in detail, the tape carrier 3 comprises an integral suction table 30 divided into two table section, namely a first suction table 31 and a second suction table 32. The suction table 30 has two air passages P1 and P2 opening at one end of the suction table 30. The first suction table 31 has a number of air orifices H1 which extend from the bottom of the suction table 30 and are in communication with the air passage P1 connected to a compressor and a vacuum pump (not shown) through an air conduit tube having a valve. Similarly, the second suction table 32 has a number of air orifices H2 which extend from the bottom of the suction table 30 and are in communication with the air passage P2 connected to a compressor and a vacuum pump (not shown) through an air conduit tube having a valve. The first and second suction tables 31 and 32 can suck and grasp a magnetic tape strip MT thereon with vacuum through the air orifices H1 and H2. The first suction table 31 is also used to spray air against the magnetic tape strip MT released therefrom. Although not shown, the tape winding apparats 100 includes drive means such as an air cylinder for moving the tape carrier 3 into and out from an empty cartridge case C in the cartridge setting chamber 2 through the tape egress/ingress opening C1. Because the suction table 30 which has the air orifices H1 and H2 and the air passages P and P2 only formed therein, the tape carrier 3 can be made thin and small in size according to the tape egress/ingress opening C1 of the tape cartridge C.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show the sticking liquid application device 20 in detail. As was previously described and shown in FIG. 3, the sticking liquid application device 20 comprises the drive mechanism 4, the sponge retainer 5 and the sponge pad 6. The sponge retainer 5 is attached to the panel 100 a (see FIG. 1) below the tape carrier 3 through the drive mechanism 4. The drive mechanism 4 comprises guide rails 42 mounted on a generally L-shaped support 42 which lies sideway and has a stem section extending from the panel 100 a, a slide table 43 mounted for slide movement on the guide rails 42, a generally L-shaped support 44 attached to the slide table 43 which has a stem section parallel to the panel 100 a, and an air slide table 45 disposed between the support 44 and movable up and down along guide means (not shown) provided inside the support 44, and a mounting flame 51 c (which is described later) forming a part of the sponge retainer 5. The support 44 is connected to an air cylinder 90 through a piston rod 91 extending horizontally. The air cylinder 90 is mounted on the panel 100 a at a backside and protrudes the piston rod 91 toward the front side of the panel 100 a and retracts the piston rod 91 toward the backside of the panel 100 a so as thereby to move the slide table 43, and hence the support 44, back and forth. As shown in detail in FIG. 4, the sponge retainer 5 of the sticking liquid application device 20 comprises a box-shaped sticking liquid container 51 into which a sticking liquid such as alcohol including methanol, ethanol isopropanol (IPA), etc. is supplied, a generally H-shaped movable table 52 supported for up and down movement by guide poles 51 a extending upright at four comers of the bottom and coil springs 51 b mounted on the guide posts 51 a, respectively, all of which are provided in the sticking liquid container 51. The box-shaped sticking liquid container 51 is provided with a sealing member 51 c around the top opening and is covered by a lid 53 (see FIG. 3) for preventing a sticking liquid in the container from evaporating and foreign particles from getting into the sticking liquid in the container. The movable table 52 has four guide holes 52 a through which the movable table 52 is mounted for vertical movement on the guide posts 51 a and a pair of jostle pins 52 b extending upright from opposite arm sections. The movable table 52 is always forced upward by the coil springs 51 b and moved downward through a jostle of the cover and the jostle pins 52 b when covered by the lid 53. The jostle pins 52 b have a length sufficient enough to prevent the sponge pad 6 from being pushed by the lid 53. The sticking liquid container 51 is hermetically sealed through the sealing member 51 c when covered by the lid 53. The sticking liquid application device 20 may be provided with a mechanism which causes the lid 53 to move up and down so as to cover and uncover the sticking liquid container 51. The movable table 52 is further provided with a pair of retainer blades 52 c fixedly attached to the upper surface and having upper bent portions opposed each other.

The quadratic prism-shaped sponge pad 6 is instilled with a sticking liquid and applies the sticking liquid to a tape end portion of magnetic tape strip MT. In order to perform application of the sticking liquid in a desired pattern, the sponge pad 6 has a generally T-shaped top surface 6 a standing out in relief which has a step section 6 a and an arm section 6 c both of which are brought into contact with a tape end portion of magnetic tape strip, entirely or partly as described later. The retainer blades 52 c retain the sponge pad 6 so as to expose the T-shaped top surface 6 a thoroughly. A desired height of the T-shaped top surface 6 a is approximately 1 mm which is sufficiently enough to prevent a magnetic tape strip from contacting with parts of the sponge retainer 5 except for the T-shaped top surface 6 a.

FIGS. 5A to 5D show various patters of sticking liquid application to a magnetic tale strip MT by the use of sponge pads having various top surfaces including the sponge pad 6 having the T-shaped top surface 6 a. As shown in FIG. 5A showing the sponge pad 6 having the T-shaped top surface 6 a, a tape end portion of magnetic tape strip MTa shown in a chain double-dashed line is applied with a sticking liquid by an arm section 6 c of the T-shaped top surface 6 a of the sponge pad 6. The sponge pad 6 is formed so that the T-shaped top surface 6 a comprises the arm section 6 c grater in width in the tape width direction than the tape end portion of magnetic tape strip MTa and the stem section 6 b having an even width to a tail or rearmost end portion 6 d which is smaller than the tape end portion of magnetic tape strip MTa. It is preferred that the arm section 6 c has a width in the tape width direction in a range from 1 mm to 30 mm so as to cover tape widths of various type magnetic tape strips. The tape end portion of magnetic tape strip MTa is positioned by the tape carrier 35 so that the arm section 6 c of the T-shaped top surface 6 a partly overlap the tape end portion of magnetic tape strip MTa, in other words, that the leading edge MTb of the tape end portion of magnetic tape strip MTa is positioned somewhat behind the foremost end of the arm section 6 c of the T-shaped top surface 6 a. When the T-shaped top surface 6 a is brought into contact with the tape end portion of magnetic tape strip MTa, a sticking liquid is applied to the tape end portion of magnetic tape strip MTa in a generally T-shaped pattern. The T-shaped pattern of sticking liquid application significantly decreases a spread of sticking liquid within an extent suitable for avoiding falling away of the tape end portion of magnetic tape strip MTa from the reel hub as compared with application all-over the tape end portion of magnetic tape strip MTa. In consequence, it is realized to prevent an occurrence of slippage between the tape end portion of magnetic tape strip MTa and the reel hub CR and defacement of the tape reel CR due to exudation of an excessive sticking liquid. In the case of application of a sticking liquid to a ½ inch magnetic tape strip, it is preferred that at least the stem section 6 b of the T-shaped top surface 6 a has a width greater than 1 mm.

In connection with a spread pattern of sticking liquid, it is always desirable that the arm section 6 c of the T-shaped top surface 6 a provides an even spread of sticking liquid over a tape end portion of magnetic tape strip MTa overlapped thereby. However, the stem section 6 b of the T-shaped top surface 6 a may provides an uneven spread of sticking liquid on the tape end portion of magnetic tape strip MTa overlapped thereby. Various spread patterns of sticking liquid may be formed on the tape end portion of magnetic tape strip MTa by a part of the T-shaped top surface 6 a other than the arm section 6 c, for example, as shown in FIGS. 5B to 5D. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5B, the sponge pad 6 may have a top surface 6 ab comprising a head section 6 bb similar in shape to the arm section 6 cb of the T-shaped top surface 6 a and a tail end portion 6 bb having a width linearly varying from the same width as the head section 6 cb to an tail end portion 6 db having a certain width. As shown in FIG. 5C, the sponge pad 6 may have a top surface 6 ac shaped in an isosceles triangle having a top side 6 cc (the base of the isosceles triangle) wider than the tape end portion of magnetic tape strip MTa and ending at a tail end portion 6 dc (the vertex of the isosceles triangle). Further, as shown in FIG. 5D, the sponge pad 6 may have a top surface 6 ad having a modified compositional shape of the top surfaces 6 a and 6 ab shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. Specifically, the top surface 6 ad comprises the arm section 6 c of the T-shaped top surface 6 a or the head section 6 cb of the top surface 6 ab, a modified part of the tail end portion 6 bb of the top surface 6 ab and the step section 6 b of the T-shaped top surface 6 a. Explaining the top surfaces as a whole, they should be shaped so as to provide a spread pattern of sticking liquid having a width smaller at a rearmost end than a foremost end thereof. In any top surfaces, it is desired that they have axisymmetric shapes and provide spread lengths of sticking liquid which are sufficiently long enough to prevent the tape end portion of magnetic tape strip MTa and the reel hub H from peeling from each other but shorter than a circumferential length of the reel hub H. If applying a sticking liquid over a length of the tape end portion of magnetic tape strip MTa longer than one round of the reel hub H, convolutions of the tape end portion of magnetic tape strip MTa on the reel hub H after a second convolution are rubbed by one another through the sticking liquid and, in consequence, cause slips among them. For example, in the case of a reel hub diameter of 44 mm, it is desired that the spread length of sticking liquid on the tape end portion of magnetic tape strip MTa is less than 138 mm which is the circumferential length of reel hub. In the case of a tape width of 12.7 mm, the spread length of sticking liquid on the tape end portion of magnetic tape strip MTa is at least 30 mm in order to achieve reliably sticking of the tape end portion of magnetic tape strip MTa on the reel hub.

Referring back to FIG. 3, the box-shaped sticking liquid container 51 is provided with the mounting frame 51 c attached to the back thereof and a supply conduit 51 d attached to the front thereof through which a sticking liquid is supplied into the sticking liquid container 51. Inside the sticking liquid container 51 there are provided liquid-level control means comprising at least a liquid-level gauge and a float switch. The liquid-level control means controls a predetermined level of sticking liquid in the sticking liquid container 51 so that the sponge pad 6 is instilled with a predetermined quantity of the sticking liquid. Accordingly, the sponge pad 6, in particular the top surface 6 a, applies a predetermined quantity of sticking liquid, which is sufficiently enough to prevent the tape end portion of magnetic tape strip MTa and the reel hub H from peeling from each other, to the tape end portion of magnetic tape strip

It is preferred for the sponge pad 6 from the viewpoint of a predetermined pattern of sticking liquid application to have a good water absorbing property and a good liquid retaining property, to keep flexibility in a dry form, and to be small in dimensional change in a wet form (e. g. to have a degree of swelling less than 3%) and resistant to chemicals such as alcohol including methanol ethanol, isopropanol (IPA), etc. Commercially available examples of the sponge pad 6 include urethane materials such as SOFRUS offered by Aion Co., Ltd. The sponge pad 6 is capable of easily applying a sticking liquid such as alcohol to a magnetic tape strip MT even immediately after instilled with the sticking liquid since having both flexibility and water absorbing property in a dry form. Further, the sponge pad 6 causes no change in spread extent and spread pattern. Since the sponge pad 6 causing no dimensional change and is repeatedly used since having chemical resistance. A urethane sponge pad is less affected by aged deterioration.

FIG. 6 shows a process of sticking a tape end portion of magnetic tape strip MT on the reel H of the tape reel CR in an empty tap cartridge C. First of all, a cartridge case C is fed from the cartridge case feeder 60 and set in the cartridge setting chamber 2. Subsequently, in a step (a), while the tape feeder 10 is driven to feed a magnetic tape strip MT, the tape carrier 3, in particular, the first suction table 31 and the second suction table 32 suck and grasp a tape end portion of magnetic tape strip MT1 with vacuum by activating the vacuum pumps. Then, the tape carrier 3 is moved toward the empty tape cartridge C in the cartridge setting chamber 2 by an air cylinder (not shown) until the tape end portion of magnetic tape strip MT1 is positioned just above the top surface 6 a of the sponge pad 6. At this time, in order to perform secure sticking liquid application, it is preferred that a leading edge of the tape end portion of magnetic tape strip M1 is in close proximity to but behind, for example, 1 mm from a forward edge of the arm section 6 c of the top surface 6 a of the sponge pad 6. Then, the drive mechanism 4 is actuated so that the air cylinder 90 protrudes the piston rod 91 so as thereby to move the L-shaped support 44 for positioning the sponge retainer 5 in a tape width direction. In step (b), the drive mechanism 4 actuates the air slide table 45 to move upward until the sponge retainer 5 brings the top surface 6 a of the sponge pad 6 into contact with the tape end portion of magnetic tape strip MT1 grasped by the tape carrier 3. At this time, the movable table 52 biased upward by the coil springs 51 b forces the sponge pad 6 to apply proper load to the tape end portion of magnetic tape strip MT1, so as to apply an adequate spread of sticking liquid onto the tape end portion of magnetic tape strip MT1 in a desired pattern.

In step (c), while the drive mechanism 4 actuates the air slide table 45 again to move downward and the tape reel CR in the empty tape cartridge C is rotated, the tape carrier 3 is further moved through the tape egress/ingress opening C1 of the empty tape cartridge C until the leading edge of the tape end portion of magnetic tape strip MT1 reaches closely to the reel hub H of the tape reel CR in the empty tape cartridge C. In step (d), while the vacuum pump is deactivated to shut off vacuum from the air orifices H1 of the first suction table 31 only so as thereby to release the tape end portion of magnetic tape strip MT1 from the first suction table 31 only, the compressor is activated to supply compressed air toward a released portion of the tape end portion of magnetic tape strip MT1 through the air orifices H1 of the first suction table 31 so as thereby to blow the released portion of the tape end portion of magnetic tape strip MT1 against the reel hub H of the tape reel CR. In consequence, the tape end portion of magnetic tape strip MT1 is stuck on the reel hub H of the tape reel CR with the sticking liquid.

According to the sticking process, the sticking liquid application device 20 is capable of applying an adequate spread of sticking liquid onto the tape end portion of magnetic tape strip MT1 in a desired pattern. In particular, since the leading end portion of magnetic tape strip MT1 is applied with sticking liquid over the entire width, the tape end portion of magnetic tape strip MT1 is reliably stuck on the reel hub H without being folded and bent Furthermore, since the spread pattern has a spread width smaller at the tail end portion 6 d than the top end portion 6 c, an excessive application of sticking liquid is prevented, so that an excessive sticking liquid exudes from side edges of the tape end portion of magnetic tape strip MT1 and is left as adhesion vestiges on the flanges of the tape reel which are undesirable in appearance.

When the tape end portion of magnetic tape strip MT1 is firmly stuck on the reel hub H of the tape reel CR in the process described above, the tape carrier 3 is moved back through the tape egress/ingress opening C1 of the tape cartridge C. Then, the tape reel CR is rotated at a high and varying speed by a driving mechanism (not shown) incorporated in the cartridge setting chamber 2 to wind the magnetic tape strip MT onto the tape reel CR. Specifically, the tape reel CR is driven at a rotational speed which is gradually increased at the beginning of tape winding, maintained at a predetermined speed for a predetermined period of time after reaching it and, subsequently, gradually decrease on the basis of prediction of a necessary time for completion of tape winding of a given length of magnetic tape strip MT so that the tape reel CR stops at the completion of tape winding.

When completing the tape winding, a cutting device (not shown) is activated to cut off the magnetic tape strip MT. Thereafter, the tape cartridge C is completed by connecting a leader tape strip to the magnetic tape strip MT wound on the tape reel CR and attaching a leader pin 5 to the free end of the leader tape strip in a known manner. When completed in this way, the tape cartridge C is released in the cartridge setting chamber 2 and ejected out from the cartridge setting chamber 2.

Although, in the above embodiment, the magnetic tape strip is directly stuck on the reel hub of a tape reel, it is permitted to stick a splicing tape previously connected to an end of the magnetic tape strip on the reel hub of the reel.

It is also to be understood that although the present invention has been described with regard to preferred embodiments thereof, various other embodiments and variants may occur to those skilled in the art, which are within the scope and spirit of the invention, and such other embodiments and variants are intended to be covered by the following claims. 

1. A tape end sticking apparatus for sticking a tap end of a tape strip on a reel hub of a tape reel installed in a cartridge case having an egress/ingress opening before winding said tape strip onto said reel hub, said tape end sticking apparatus comprising: cartridge case setting means for supporting said tape cartridge in a predetermined position so as to permit rotation of said tape reel; tape carrier means movable into and out from an interior of said tape cartridge through said egress/ingress opening for grasping a tape end portion of said tape strip and bringing said tape end portion into a position where said tape end portion is placed adjacently to said reel hub; and liquid applying means for applying a sticking liquid to said reel hub and/or said tape end portion in a spread pattern having a width smaller at a rearmost end than a foremost end thereof.
 2. A tape end sticking apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said foremost end of said spread pattern has a width greater than a leading end of said tape strip.
 3. A tape end sticking apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said spread pattern has a length smaller than a circumferential length of said reel hub.
 4. A tape winding apparatus for winding a tape strip onto a reel hub of a tape reel installed in a cartridge case having an egress/ingress opening, said tape winding apparatus comprising: a tape end sticking apparatus for sticking a tap end portion of said tape strip on said reel hub; and winding means for rotating said tape reel so as thereby to wind said tape strip onto said reel hub; wherein said tape end sticking apparatus comprising: cartridge case setting means for supporting said tape cartridge in a predetermined position so as to permit rotation of said tape reel; tape carrier means movable into and out from an interior of said tape cartridge through said egress/ingress opening for grasping a tape end portion of said tape strip and bringing said tape end portion into a position where said tape end portion is placed adjacently to said reel hub; and liquid applying means for applying a sticking liquid to said reel hub and/or said tape end portion in a spread pattern having a width smaller at a rearmost end than a foremost end thereof.
 5. A tape end sticking apparats as defined in claim 4, wherein said foremost end of said spread pattern has a width greater than a leading end of said tape strip.
 6. A tape end sticking apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein said spread pattern has a length smaller than a circumferential length of said reel hub.
 7. A tape end sticking method for sticking a tap end of a tape strip on a reel hub of a tape reel installed in a cartridge case having an egress/ingress opening before winding said tape strip onto said reel hub, said tape end sticking method comprising the steps of: grasping a tape end portion of said tape strip by tape carrier means which is movable into and out from an interior of said tape cartridge through said egress/ingress opening; applying a sticking liquid to said reel hub and/or said tape end portion grasped by said tape end carrier means in a spread pattern having a width smaller at a rearmost end than a foremost end thereof; moving said tape carrier means into said tape cartridge so as to position said tape end portion adjacently to said reel hub; and releasing said tape end potion from said tape carrier means and sticking said tape end portion on said reel hub with said sticking liquid.
 8. A tape end sticking method as defined in claim 7, wherein said foremost end of said spread pattern has a width greater than a leading end of said tape strip.
 9. A tape end sticking method as defined in claim 7, wherein said spread pattern has a length smaller than a circumferential length of said reel hub.
 10. A tape winding method for winding a tape strip onto a reel hub of a tape reel installed in a cartridge case having an egress/ingress opening, said tape strip winding method comprising the steps of: sticking a tap end portion of said tape strip on said reel hub; and rotating said tape reel to wind said tape strip on said reel hub of, wherein said sticking step comprises: grasping a tape end portion of said tape strip by tape carrier means which is movable into and out from an interior of said tape cartridge through said egress/ingress opening; applying a sticking liquid to said reel hub and/or said tape end portion grasp by said tape end carrier means in a spread pattern having a width smaller at a rearmost end than a foremost end thereof; moving said tape carrier means into said tape cartridge so as to position said tape end portion adjacently to said reel hub; and releasing said tape end potion from said tape carrier means and sticking said tape end portion on said reel hub with said sticking liquid. 